Integrated area studies on the paradigm shift of the development of Africa

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We examined African features which are claimed to be “barriers” for the development and tried to find out positive potentials in them for new development. We scrutinize some of characteristics such as; diversified activity of people (bricolage and de-agrarianisation), farmers’ preference of risk avoidance than profit-maximization, vigorous social networks, rich knowledge of environment of herders, flexibility of pastoral society, and rich and socially interwoven technology and knowledge. The merits of these characteristics had been underestimated, disregarded or even avoided in the development plans. We suggest that some of those “barriers” should bereappraised from the point of sustainability and resilience of livelihood of people.